Control assembly for wind instruments and the like



A rilzl, 1970 J:\F.FEDDERSEN r 3, 7 I

vCONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR'WIND INSTRUMENTS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 15, 1965' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 AMPLIFIER y f0/222 Fffiakrsezz BY W ATTORNEYS I N VEN TOR.

. P ,1970 J. FIFEDDERSEN 3,507,971

CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR WIND INSTRUMENTS AND THE LIKE Filed Dec. 15, 1965 v 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR.

:10/222 FTdaraazz United States Patent 3,507,971 CONTROL ASSEMBLY FOR WIND INSTRUMENTS AND THE LIKE John F. Feddersen, Elkhart, Ind., assignor to H. & A. Selmer, Inc., Elkhart, Ind., a corporation of Indiana Filed Dec, 15, 1966, Ser. No. 601,939

Int. Cl. Gh 3/00 U.S. Cl. 84- --1.14 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The disclosed embodiment of the present invention is a control unit which houses variable parameter elements associated with amplification and wave shaping of an audio signal generated by a transducer mounted on a wind instrument and a mounting means for locating the control unit Within the immediate vicinity of the wind instrument and remotely from the sound reproduction system associated therewith. The disclosed wind instrument is of the type wherein the mouth of the musician initially generates an. audio sound. to be detected by the transducer mounted thereon, including by way of example and not by way of limitation, Saxophones, clarinets, flutes, and various horns. The disclosed mounting means provides positioning of the control unit on the instrument itself or on the body of the player remote from the amplification and sound effects equipment. In some instances the control unit may be transferred from one instrument to another.

By the use of electronics, musical instruments have recently acquired a new dimension in sound elfects. Amplification of the sound of various musical instruments is relatively old in the art, per se, but special 'sound effects asso ciated with the amplification and sound reproduction have been a relatively recent development. These special sound effects are generally produced by appropriate wave shaping of the audio signal.

During use of a wind instrument, such as in a group with other instruments being played before an audience, the player is usually separated from the speaker, amplifier, and other electronic units of the sound reproduction system and the instrument is connected thereto by cable. With the variable sound effects producible by the electronics of the system, it is often desirable to change from one sound effect to another during the course of a playing interval of the instrument. However, in order to effect such a change, the player must leave his position before the spotlight and walk over to the electronic unit and manipulate the required switches or knobs- Such distraction from the normal course of playing an instrument before an audience is not desirable.

Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide a control unit for varying certain parameters of the electronic sound reproduction system associated with a musical instrument which is disposed for being mounted immediately adjacent the instrument and remotely from' the amplifier and electronic units.

It is afurther object of the present invention to provide a control unit which includes a plurality of control actuators for varying certain parameters of an amplifier and electronic unit associated with a musical instrument which is relatively compact and can be mounted either directly on the instrument or on'the individual playing the instru ment.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a control unit assembly for the electronic sound reproduction system'associated with a musical instrument, which is mounted directly on the instrument and is connected to the sound pickup transducer on the instrument.

A novel feature of the present invention resides in the ice provision of detachable mounting means for a control unit on a musical instrument, which control unit includes a plurality of control actuators for varying certain parameters of the electronic sound reproduction system associated with the musical instrument.

Another feature of the present invention resides in the provision of a conduit for receiving a cable extending from the sound pickup transducer on the musical instrument to the control unit mounted on the musical instrument, which conduit extends along and is secured to an external surface of the musical instrument so as not to interfere with the normal use thereof.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more fully realized and understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side elevational view of a saxophone embodying the principles of the present invention;

FIGURE 2 is a somewhat enlarged front elevational view of the musical instrument and control unit illustrated in FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a side elevational view, partially broken away, of another embodiment of the present invention;

FIGURE 4 is a view, partially broken away and partially in section of still another embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGURE 5 is a plan view illustrating still another embodiment of the present invention.

Like reference numerals throughout the various views of the drawings are intended to designate the same or similar structures.

With reference to the drawings in detail, and in particular in FIGURES 1 and 2, there is illustrated a wind instrument generally designated with the reference numeral 10. The particular wind instrument disclosed herein for exemplification of the present invention is a saxophone, but it is to be understood that other instruments may be employed with the present invention. The instrument 10 is generally formed of a body 12 having a bell 14at one end thereof and a neck portion 16 at the other end thereof. The neck portion 16 supports a mouthpiece 18 at one end thereof which is illustrated as being partially covered by a mouthpiece cover 20. The keys, valves, and operating shafts of the wind instrument 10 are illustrated by the dot-dashed outlines generally designated with the reference numeral 22. The keys, valves, and operating shafts 22 cooperate with tone holes (not shown) spaced longitudinally along the tapered body 12. The body 12 iS' secured to the neck portion- 16 by means of a coupling member 24.

In order to amplify or otherwise wave shape and then amplify the sound produced by the instrument 10, a transducer must be disposed in sound receiving relationship with the instrument which is connected to suitable wave shaping and amplifying units associated with the sound reproducing system. In particular, a microphone 26 is mounted in the neck portion 16 and is disposed in sound receiving relation with the air column supported within the instrument 10. The microphone produces an output signal related to the received sound vibrations produced wtihin the instrument. The microphone 26 is connected by means of a cable 28 to a plug 30. A receptacle 32 is disposed for receiving the plug 30 therein. .The receptacle 32li secured to one end of a conduit 34 which extends along the length of the body 12. The lower end of the conduit 34, designated with the reference numeral 36, curves around the body 12 and terminates substantially adjacent the bell portion 14 of the instrument 10. A cable 38 extends from the receptacle 32, through the conduit 34, to a control unit and assembly 40. v

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2, the control assembly 40 is mounted on a key guard 42 which forms a part of the musical instrument 10 and surrounds a pair of valves 44 and 46. The control unit 40 is connected by means of a cable 48 to suitable wave shaping and amplifying units of the sound reproducing system indicated generally by the numeral 49 associated with the wind instrument 10. The control unit 40 provides control of the various sound eifects producible by the electronics of the sound reproducing system associated with the instrument.

Whereas the wind instrument illustrated in FIGURES l and 2 is a tenor saxophone, the wind instrument illustrated in FIGURE 3 is a baritone saxophone. The wind instrument 10 illustrated in FIGURE 3 is generally formed of the same basic elements as the wind instrument of FIGURES l and 2. However, rather than mounting the control unit 40 on the key guard 42, as illustrated in FIGURE 2, the control unit 40 may be mounted in any convenient location, such as on the body 12, as illustrated in FIGURE 3. In such an arrangement, the control unit 40 is illustrated as being mounted adjacent a thumb rest 50 at the lower portion of the body 12. In addition, the conduit 34 extends to and joins with the housing of the control unit 40, such that there will be no exposed cables in and around the playing keys on the instrument 10. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 3, the control unit 40 may be mounted substantially flush with an external surface of the body 12 or may be mounted a spaced distance therefrom by suitable spacing means (not shown).

Another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGURE 4 wherein the control unit assembly 40 is detachably mounted to the key guard 42. In particular, a resilient clip 52 is mounted on the key guard 42 which is provided with a pair of upstanding resilient arms 54 and 56 Each of these arms include a detent 58 and the housing of the control unit includes a corresponding detent 60 cooperable therewith. Therefore, the control unit 40'can be removed from the instrument when desired. The clip 52 may be secured to other parts of the instrument 10 and is, therefore, not limited to the mounting location illustrated in FIGURE 4.

Still another embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIGURE 5 wherein the control unit 40 is disposed for being mounted on the person of the individual playing the associated instrument. In particular, a cord 62 is disposed for encircling the neck of the individuals person, with the ends of the cord 62 secured to the housing of the control unit 40 by means of fasteners 64. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 5, the cable 38 extends from a bottom side of the control unit 40 and the receptacle 32 is secured to an end thereof. The cable 38 illustrated in FIGURE 5 is of sufiicient length to extend to the neck portion of the saxophone or other instrument with which it is employed, such that the male plug 30 can be inserted in the receptacle 32. The cable 48 also extends from the bottom side of the control unit 40 and terminates in a plug 66, which is disposed for being inserted into a matching plug connected to the associated sound reproducing apparatus.

In addition, the control unit 40 illustrated in FIGURE 5 is provided with a hook 82 which is secured to the bottom of the control unit 40 by means of a chain 84. The saxophone or other instrument employed with the control unit 40 can be supported on the hook 82, thereby eliminating the need for the player to wear two neck straps one neck for the control unit 40 and another neck strap for the saxophone chain.

It can be readily appreciated that by the use of the teachings of the present invention, one can play an instrument before an audience while maintaining complete control of the sound eifects producible by the instrument during a particular playing interval. Therefore, a player need not leave the spotlight before an audience during a continuous playing interval in order to adjust the variable parameters in the electronics of the sound reproducing system associated with the instrument he is playing. Furthermore, by the teachings of the present invention, all of the controls necessary for effecting such sound effect changes are within easy reach of the players hands, such that such changes can be made within a very short time lapse. Furthermore, by the use of the control assembly illustrated in FIGURE 5, an individual player can alternate between instruments without changing from one control to another. That is, if a flute were equipped with a microphone 26, cable 28, and plug 30, an individual playing the saxophone can remove the plug 30 connected to a microphone on the saxophone from the receptacle 32 and insert the plug 30connected to the microphone on the flute into the same receptacle 32. This change can be made quickly and easily and each of the instruments'can be employed with the same electronics and sound reproducing systems. The embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 5 is particularly applicable in those cases where the instrument cannot support the control unit 40 thereon. The flute is such an instrument. Since the saxophone and flute are often played alternatively by the same individual in a group, the embodiment illustrated in FIGURE 5 would have particular advantage for changing the control unit from one instrument to the other during a change in instruments during a particular playing interval.

The control unit 40 illustrated in the drawings includes a plurality of control knobs or actuators 68, 70, and 72, and a plurality of switches 74, 76, 78, and 80. As one example of the control provided by such actuators, the knob 68 may be employed for controlling the volume; the knob 70 for controlling echo; the knob 72 for controlling octamatic; the switches 74, 76, 78, and for controlling the sound eifects normally termed bright, normal, dark, and tremolo, respectively. Although not all of the controls of the electronics of the sound reproducing system need be included in the control unit 40', it is preferable that all of the controls which may be varied during a particular playing interval be included therein.

The principles of the invention explained in connection with the specific exemplifications thereof will suggest many other applications and modifications of the same. It is accordingly desired that, in construing the breadth of the appended claims they shall not be limited to the specific details shown and described in connection with the exemplifications thereof.

The invention claimed is:

1. A combination adapted for use with a wind instrument and sound reproducing apparatus associated therewith and including an amplifier unit and a sound detecting transducer mounted on the instrument and disposed for supplying an input to the amplifier unit, said combination comprising fingertip control means for controlling the sound reproducing apparatus, a housing for said control means, and means for mounting said housing either on the person of the player or on the wind instrument within fingertip control of the instrument player and remotely from the amplifier.

2. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein said control means includes manually actuatable means for effecting control of all of the control functions of the sound reproducing apparatus which are normally controlled during playing of the instrument.

3. A combination as defined in claim 1, further comprising a conduit extending from said transducer to said housing means, and a cable electrically connecting said transducer and said control means and extending through said conduit.

4. A combination as defined in claim 3 wherein said conduit extends along and is secured to anexternal surface of said instrument.

5. A combination as defined in claim 1, wherein the wind instrument is a saxophone and includes at least one key guard, said housing means being mounted on said key guard.

6. A combination as defined in claim 5, including means for detachably mounting said housing means on said key guard.

7. In combination with a wind instrument disposed for supporting an air column therein and provided with tone holes in communication with the air column, valves associated with the tone holes, and shafts secured to said valves and rotatably mounted on said body, a transducer mounted on said instrument in sound-receiving relation with the air column and disposed for producing an output signal related to receive sound vibrations, and an amplifier for efiecting electrical amplification of the output signal, the improvement with said combination comprising fingertip control means including variable parameter elements for controlling the amplifier, means defining a housing for said control means and including control actuators for varying said parameter elements, and means for mounting said housing on the instrument within fingertip control of the instrument player.

8. A combination as defined in claim 7, wherein the improvement further comprises a conduit mounted on the instrument extending from said transducer toward said housing, and a cable electrically connecting said transducer and said control means and extending through said conduit.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,553,927 5/1951 Maas 841.14 2,834,243 5/ 1958 Miessner 84-1.14 2,984,140 5/1961 Barron 841.15 X

H-ERMAN KARL SAALBACH, Primary Examiner S. CHATMON, JR., Assistant Examiner 

